Although it's still hot, September is a good month to
start all types of tomatoes from seed in starter containers. Most of the larger tomatoes need close to 5 months from seed until the first ripe fruits.
When planted in September they'll ripen in January or February, normally our coolest months of the year.Red varieties of cabbage usually need close to 5 months too - September is a good month to start these seeds in starter containers. When started in small containers the seedlings can be moved out of the hot afternoon sun.
If you're planting your first garden this fall, lots of
specific growing information can be found on the side-bar of my blog in the
"Growing Tips" column.
Seeds to plant in September:
Seeds to plant in September:
Amaranth
Basil
Basil
Beans - Hopi Red Lima
Buckwheat
Celery
BuckwheatCelery
Chard
Chia
Cilantro (plant in partial shade)
Cilantro (plant in partial shade)
Corn
Cucumbers (plant in partial shade)
Lemongrass - Culianary
Jicama
Jicama
Micro-Greens (plant in partial shade)
Onions - Bunching (white varieties)
Sesame
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Sunflowers
Tatsoi
Tatsoi
Tomatoes (all types)
Wheat
Culinary Ginger
If you planted Culinary Ginger in March or April, September
is the recommended month to harvest "new ginger". It's so tender at this stage - perfect for slicing paper thin with a vegetable peeler and pickling in rice vinegar. Homemade pickled ginger is typically eaten as
a condiment with sashimi or sushi. For more information see my post on Culinary Ginger
Cucurbits
I've planted winter squash from mid-January through early September. I didn't have good results when I planted them in the fall. If you're thinking of planting winter squash this month I recommend planting at least 2 of the same variety so there are adequate male flowers for pollination.
Not all cucumbers grow well in the fall due to diminishing daylight. I've found that the Asian varieties are less day length sensitive - unfortunately some are not heat tolerant. My best results in the fall have been with Suyo, a long Chinese cucumber.
Jicama
Cucurbits
I've planted winter squash from mid-January through early September. I didn't have good results when I planted them in the fall. If you're thinking of planting winter squash this month I recommend planting at least 2 of the same variety so there are adequate male flowers for pollination.
Not all cucumbers grow well in the fall due to diminishing daylight. I've found that the Asian varieties are less day length sensitive - unfortunately some are not heat tolerant. My best results in the fall have been with Suyo, a long Chinese cucumber.
Jicama
September through January are the months to plat jicama in Kihei. Jicama needs 5 months to grow and mature and is best when harvested by June as the high summer temps will damage the tubers. It's so ono when freshly harvested and great when julienned and seasoned with lime juice and a gourmet salt.
Garlic
For information about ordering and planting garlic see the July-August Newsletter.
Destructive Bugs, Larvae & Disease
The melon fruit flies and the moths responsible for the pickleworms are normally still active in September. Until November, I recommend covering the the female cucurbits after the flowers close. Although I had the usual problems with these destructive insects, there was a significant reduction from previous summers. I have a lot more lizards living in my garden this year and they like to hang out near the melon and fruit fly traps waiting for the flies. They may be responsible for the significant reduction in fruit fly and pickleworm larvae this summer.
If you've had problems with Mosaic Virus, it normally decreases as the weather cools a bit in the fall. Mosaic can infect just about anything and some varieties of plants seem to be more susceptible to this disease.
Garlic
For information about ordering and planting garlic see the July-August Newsletter.
Destructive Bugs, Larvae & Disease
The melon fruit flies and the moths responsible for the pickleworms are normally still active in September. Until November, I recommend covering the the female cucurbits after the flowers close. Although I had the usual problems with these destructive insects, there was a significant reduction from previous summers. I have a lot more lizards living in my garden this year and they like to hang out near the melon and fruit fly traps waiting for the flies. They may be responsible for the significant reduction in fruit fly and pickleworm larvae this summer.
If you've had problems with Mosaic Virus, it normally decreases as the weather cools a bit in the fall. Mosaic can infect just about anything and some varieties of plants seem to be more susceptible to this disease.
